Leave only footprints on the hill

IT TAKES a sheet of paper around two to five months to completely disintegrate.

This timeline varies widely depending on the type of paper and the surrounding environmental conditions and until it does, it remains as clutter, jarring to the eye and bad for the environment.

If you have ever hiked along Penang Hill’s trails, you might come across bits of paper, sometimes specially printed, scattered along the trails, and even stapled on leaves.

Sometimes, during drier seasons, so much paper is scattered by hikers and runners who mark their trails for their groups to follow that the paths are left littered.

Some even carry spray paint cans to mark tree trunks and boulders while others use knives to score tree trunks with symbols.

Typically, runners drop paper shreds, specially printed paper or even toilet paper along the forest floor, on leaves or branches.

While the paper will degrade in a few months, what will the trails look like after many groups do it every week?

Before the paper thrown the previous week can break down, other paper markers are added to the point that Penang Hill’s trails look messy.

The burden of keeping the hill trails looking pristine falls on Penang Hill Corporation’s (PHC) workers.

“Our teams regularly bring piles of paper back from the hills. I collect a lot myself when I go hiking,” said PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng.

He said PHC had spent years discouraging the practice of using paper markers.

Spray paint defacing a boulder in Penang Hill. — Photos courtesy of Penang Hill Corporation.

“Paper is biodegradable but takes a long time to fully break down.

“They may contain chemicals that affect how they break down in natural environments.

“Some of these chemicals can even discourage termites and other insects from feeding on the paper.

“Although often perceived as harmless, paper markers contri­bute to visual pollution and can accumulate in large numbers along trails,” he said.

Rather than leaving markers, visitors are encouraged to use other navigation tools.

“As a Unesco Biosphere Reser­ve, Penang Hill promotes a strict ‘Leave No Trace’ approach to ensure that natural areas are preserved for future generations,” Cheok said.

A pile of paper markers on the hill.

During casual hikes, the paper markers left along the trails resembled litter.

Although I understand the reason for it, I wish others would see how detrimental this is to our environment in the long run.

There are better ways to avoid getting lost or separated without using markers.

I can only suggest following friends who know their way, sticking to designated trails or going in larger groups to ensure safety.

Penang is definitely a place to explore nature and we should all be mindful to ensure it remains the same for future generations.